Physiologically active substance TAN-931, its derivatives, their production and use

Abstract

A novel compound of the formula (I): <IMAGE> (I) wherein R1 is esterified carboxyl; R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and are hydrogen or alkyl; A is formyl, hydroxyiminomethyl or carboxyl; and X is hydrogen or halogen, or a salt thereof, which is useful as an aromatase inhibitor or an intermediate of its production. Processes for producing the compound of the formula (I) and an aromatase inhibitor containing as an active component the compound of the formula (I) wherein A is formyl and X is hydrogen or, a salt thereof as well as Penicillium funiculosum capable for producing the compound (I) wherein R1 is carboxyl, R2, R3 and R4 are hydrogen and X is formyl are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A compound of the formula (I): ##STR27## wherein R 1  is esterified carboxyl; R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are the same and different and are hydrogen or alkyl; A is formyl, hydroxyiminoethyl or carboxyl; and X is hydrogen or halogen, or a salt thereof. 
     
     
       2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the esterified carboxyl is carboxyl esterified with C 1  -C 6  alkyl which may be substituted with C 1  -C 3  alkoxy, or aralkyl which may be substituted with C 1  -C 3  alkoxy, nitro or halogen. 
     
     
       3. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the esterified carboxyl is carboxyl esterified with C 1  -C 6  alkyl or benzyl. 
     
     
       4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the alkyl has 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       5. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the halogen is chlorine. 
     
     
       6. The compound according to claim 1, wherein X is at the 3 or 5 position in the partial structural formula 
     
     
       7. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R 1  is benzyloxycarbonyl, R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are hydrogen, A is formyl and X is hydrogen. 
     
     
       8. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R 1  is hezyloxycarbonyl, R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are hydrogen, A is formyl and X is hydrogen. 
     
     
       9. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R 1  is methoxycarbonyl, R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are methyl, A is formyl and X is hydrogen. 
     
     
       10. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R 1  is COOCH 3 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are hydroggen, A is formyl and X is hydrogen. 
     
     
       11. An aromatase inhibitor comprising as an active component an effective inhibiting amount of a compound of the formula (I): ##STR28## wherein R 1  is esterified carboxyl; R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are the same or different and are hydroggen or alkyl; A is formyl; and   X is hydroggen or halogen, or a salt thereof.